Pride Celebrations Research Articles

Jayaera

The article reflects on the evolution of the Afro-Caribbean neologism “jayaera”—a deeply internal feeling of joy when one can freely be oneself, coined by performer Macha Colón. By conducting a close reading of how, since 2008, Macha popularized “Jayá” (adj.), and by studying D’Chamacas party as a catalyst for “jayaera” (n.), this article analyzes the collectivization of “cuir bliss” and examines its multimedia origins. It also explores how, in 2019, there was a marked shift toward “combative jayaera” (n. with adj. modifier) that escalates “cuir bliss” into “cuir irreverence” through #8M Slut Walks, the Perreo Combativo during #RickyRenuncia protests, and development of the Caribbean kiki scene. The article argues that “jayaera” has gradually separated from its creator through reinterpretations and adaptations, notably through performer Ana Macho’s song “Jayau,” alternative Pride celebrations, and as a strategy for political parties to present themselves as open to LGBTQIA+ issues. Lastly, the article revisits Macha's latest exploration of this Afro-Caribbean multimedia neologism through the Templo de la Jayaera (est. 2021), where participants identify and develop spaces for contemplative experiences, further engaging with the slippery and transient nature of decolonial joy and cuir bliss for Puerto Ricans.

The absolute truth: Alcohol companies sponsored disproportionately more queer Pride festivals than July Fourth festivals in 2019

Introduction Despite known disparities in alcohol use among queer communities in the United States, little is known about the extent to which alcohol companies sponsor queer Pride festivals each June. This study aimed to (1) examine the nature and extent of alcohol sponsorship of Pride in 2019 and (2) compare the prevalence of alcohol sponsorship for Pride versus Fourth of July festivals. Methods We identified Pride festivals through InterPride’s 2019 Pride Radar Report and Fourth of July festivals by searching Google. Researchers recorded each festival’s name and location, then sorted their sponsors into ten categories. We adjusted for overall population count and same-sex couple count estimates; and only included cities in our sample that hosted both Pride and Fourth of July festivals in 2019. Results Researchers identified 207 Pride and 154 Fourth of July festivals in 45 states and 129 cities, which included 4,643 Pride and 972 Fourth of July festival sponsors. Pride festivals had a significantly higher percentage of alcohol sponsors (9.1% (95% CI: 9.0%, 9.1%)) compared to Fourth of July festivals (2.0% (95% CI: 1.9%, 2.2%)) (p < 0.001). We also found a significant interaction between the prevalence of alcohol sponsors and US region. Conclusions Our findings indicate a greater need to understand the extent to which alcohol marketing at Pride celebrations contributes to alcohol use.

The Power of Visibility: A Visual Semiotics Analysis of the 1990 Pride Celebration in South Africa

The main aim of this article is to explore the significance of celebrating Pride in South Africa, with specific reference to the 1990 inaugural gay Pride march. The first lesbian and gay Pride march was held on 13 October 1990 in Johannesburg. This was the first Pride march on the African continent and acted as both a gay Pride event and an anti-apartheid march. There were 800 people in attendance, with gay rights pioneers such as Beverley Ditsie, Justice Edwin Cameron, Donné Rundle, Hendrik Pretorius and Simon Nkoli addressing the large crowds. Two of the main aims of the Pride celebration were to publicly march in support of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South African law, as well as to call for an end to apartheid. This 1990 Pride march thus served as a publicly visible rallying point. Over three decades of annual gay Pride marches have been observed in South Africa to encourage the just treatment of LGBTQ+ identities. Since the initial event in 1990, Pride marches have continued to grow in South Africa, with each of the nine provinces now hosting a march. Pride has also become a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community’s struggle for equality in South Africa and throughout the African continent. Even so, (Black) queer people in South Africa are still coded and marginalised in mainstream media discourses as disaffected bodies, and at worst, they are confined to the impermeable background of LGBTQ+ history. This article makes use of a qualitative visual semiotics analysis, using a non-probability purposive sample of five images from the first Pride celebration in South Africa, to explore the significance of celebrating gay Pride in our context. The findings indicate that even though things have improved significantly for the LGBTQ+ community in South Africa, this community still faces many societal issues that are a direct result of the legacy of oppression that has been perpetuated against the community throughout history.

“The Amazingly Fabulous Tuk tuk Race”: mobility and carnival praxis in the semiotic landscape of Phnom Penh Pride

ABSTRACT In this semiotic landscape study we examine the 2019 pride celebrations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a focus on its main event, the “Amazingly Fabulous Tuk Tuk Race.” This event emphasizes mobility vis-à-vis select participants who race in decorated tuk tuks, the city's iconic everyday mode of transport, across the city to complete a scavenger hunt. The study analyzes these tuk tuks as forms of mobile signs that temporarily queer the streets of Phnom Penh, conveying the convergence of international discourses relating to LGBTQ+ sexual identity politics as well as locally salient discourses (e.g. education and development, tourism and commerce) that are embedded in the pride event. The study proposes that these mobile signs constitute a form of carnival praxis, giving us critical insight into forms of creative and tactical public engagement with queer visibility in this globally southern context.

LGBTQ Community Archives in Small Urban Centers: Reflections on Community and University Partnerships to Build Awareness of the Lehigh Valley’s Rich LGBTQ History from AIDS Activism to Anti-Discrimination Legislation

Too frequently regional LGBTQ history outside of major metropolises is not a major focus either in university curriculum or for financially strapped local non-profit organizations as they provide essential direct services to our communities. Even as the late twentieth and early twenty-first century have ushered in a new focus on local archival projects, regional organizations often struggle to find funding for local historical projects while universities provide LGBTQ studies courses that center activism in NYC, Los Angeles, or San Francsico, marches in Washington, D.C., and the value of subcultural spaces on the coasts. As scholars have argued in the past decade, literary critics and historians need to focus more attention on LGBTQ activism, cultural production, and community formations outside of major urban centers. For university faculty, staff, and archivists, we have the opportunity to address this need by partnering with regional LGBTQ organizations, using our resources to help build strong local archives, and working with community members to shape narratives about LGBTQ history that engage with national movements while also addressing the nuances of activist work in various cultural contexts. This article addresses how community center leaders, archivists, faculty, and students in Allentown, PA have collaborated to meet these challenges by discussing three impactful archival projects: F.A.C.T. (Fighting AIDS Continuously Together) public history courses, an exhibit titled “Pride Guides and the Early Years of Lehigh Valley Pride Festivals,” and the Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Oral History Project. As we provide details about these projects, we trace the value of centering regional AIDS activism, pride celebrations, and struggles for anti-discrimination legislation for our regional LGBTQ community and our students. We argue that courses, exhibits, and oral history collection not only produce regional connectivity to national political projects and strategies, but also build stronger understanding of the import of local activism for promoting equity at the civic and state level. Beyond understanding the historical trajectory of regional activism, archival work and exhibitions bring diverse young people, elders, and those in the middle of life together who may not have met otherwise to reflect on our history and to imagine our future. The process of incorporating students, organizational leaders, and archivists in shared historical projects and narratives formation builds new networks for meeting urgent present-day needs.

Uses of Exploits

Uses of Exploits

Pride in paramedicine: care of LGBTQ+ people

As Pride celebrations take place around the world, Aysha Mendes, editor of the Journal of Paramedic Practice, reflects on the importance of equitable care provision, inclusive research and appropriate care interventions for all people, highlighting some examples of barriers facing people in LGBTQ+ communities

Pride in paramedicine: being an LGBTQ+ paramedic

As Pride celebrations kick off worldwide and the current issue of the Journal of Paramedic Press is sent to the printers on 28 June—the very date in history that the first Pride March was held in New York City in 1970—it seems fitting to celebrate Pride in paramedicine and hear from some paramedics in the LGBTQ+ community

Psychosocial Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People Living in Portugal and Brazil—A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Not many studies have been reported from Portugal or Brazil to date, regarding the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, especially from a qualitative perspective. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 65 self-identified LGB individuals from Portugal and Brazil participated in this study. Thirty-two participants were from Portugal and 33 from Brazil. The average age was 34.48 years (standard deviation = 11.66), ranging from 19 to 67. We used an online interview approach in an asynchronous format. All study respondents completed a structured inquiry consisting of a short section of sociodemographic questions and a single open-ended question: “As a lesbian, gay, bisexual (or other) self-identified person, please elaborate on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your life.” Results: The thematic analysis of participants’ responses revealed 9 recurring themes, encompassing 18 subcategories to occur: mental health (depression, anxiety, fear, anger, and loneliness), isolation (social distancing and leisure impediments), relationships (family and friends), work-related problems, education-related problems, financial problems, changes (behavioral changes and opportunity to grow), coping (seeking support, accessing information and physical activities), and LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) topics (health barriers, going back into the closet, pride celebration events, and online dating). Conclusions: Our results provide voice to LGB Portuguese and Brazilian people during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrating specific challenges exacerbated by stigma and sexual discrimination amplified by preexistent social inequalities.

“The Untold Side of COVID-19”: Struggle and Perspectives of the Sexual Minorities

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has threatened global public health. Travel has been restricted, economies slashed, borders sealed, and billions quarantined at their residences, in an attempt to contain the outbreak. Social distancing and lockdown measures have disrupted human lives in terms of social relationships and emotional bonds. Every individual is facing unique challenges to cope with these unprecedented times. However, certain sections of the population, like the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community, are particularly vulnerable to not only the infective risks of the virus, but also the psycho-social offshoots of the global lockdown and the pandemic aftermath. The various factors range from the immunocompromised state, increased comorbidities of sexually transmitted diseases, other chronic medical disorders and substance abuse, as well as reduced access to health care, to stigma and social discrimination, administrative apathy, economic constraints, and uncertainty of social rituals like the Pride Celebrations. These can lead to the underdetection of the viral load, increased physiological risks to COVID-19, decreased help-seeking, and inequality in health and legal care. Their emotional and psychosexual well-being also gets impaired, with increased risks for psychiatric disorders and suicidality.Keeping these factors in the background, this article glances at the disproportionate risk related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the sexual minorities, explores the psycho-social factors behind the same, and highlights specific ways to mitigate these risks for better care. Adopting a rights-based perspective for the LGBTQ community through public health measures during such crises can help reduce stigma and promote their social inclusion.

The Origins of Identity Politics

The Origins of Identity Politics

Queer politics and intersectionality in South Africa

In an interview with Nadia Davids, Zethu Matabeni discusses contemporary queer politics in South Africa and Cape Town in particular. Matebeni contextualizes current queer activism in a broader historical trajectory in which she observes the ongoing exclusive boundaries of Pride celebrations and positions two recent protest movements, #FeesMustFall and Rhodes Must Fall.

Residents' Support in Major Local Events: Leeds Pride

This article examines the extent to which community participation and perceived impacts have an influence on residents' support of major events, more specifically, the Leeds Pride celebration. The research examines the perspectives of 400 Leeds permanent residents. The study tests a structural equation model, which has its theoretical basis in social exchange theory. It examines the constructs of community participation, perceived positive and negative impacts, and community support, including the actual participation of locals in the event. The findings reveal that the actual participation of locals to decision making influences their perspectives on community participation. The support is influenced by views of the perceived impacts, whereas community participation has no direct influence. Conversely, the community involvement in decision making considerably influences the perceived benefits and costs of the event, acting as a moderator, whereas the willingness of support is connected with the community's participation. Finally, the article discusses theoretical and managerial aspects for major event planning and development.

Examining the Relationships Between Religiosity, Spirituality, Internalized Homonegativity, and Condom Use Among African American Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Deep South.

The Sexual Health in Faith Traditions Study evaluated the relationships between religiosity, spirituality, internalized homonegativity, and sexual risk behaviors among a sample of African American men who have sex with men living in the Deep South. Participants were recruited primarily from Black Gay Pride celebrations to complete a self-administered, paper-and-pencil survey. Structural equation modeling was used to determine relationships between key constructs and condom use for insertive ( n = 285) and receptive ( n = 263) anal intercourse in the past 3 months. Almost half of respondents reported using condoms "every time" when engaging in insertive (48.3%) or receptive (45.1%) anal intercourse. Religiosity and spirituality were differentially associated with dimensions of internalized homonegativity. While no significant direct relationships were reported between either religiosity or spirituality and condom use, dimensions of internalized homonegativity mediated significant indirect relationships. Findings suggest that religiosity and spirituality influence African American men who have sex with men's internalized homonegativity and, subsequently, engagement in safer sex behaviors.

Welcoming the World? Hospitality, Homonationalism, and the London 2012 Olympics

AbstractIn an era of intense “entrepreneurial” city marketing, overt attempts to court LGBT consumers and investors have been made not solely through the promotion of lesbian and gay arts festivals, pride celebrations and “specialised” cultural events, but also through “mainstream” mega‐events. This paper explores this with reference to London's 2012 Olympics, an event which welcomed LGBT spectators, volunteers and participants through a series of initiatives proclaiming the Games as distinctively “gay friendly”. Considering this in the light of queer critiques—particularly those concerning homonationalism—we argue that this marketing of London as sexually diverse relied on the effacement of certain sexual practices and spaces not easily accommodated within normative, Western models of sexual citizenship, tolerance and equality. In conclusion, it is argued that the Olympics represented a moment when particular ideas of sexual cosmopolitanism were deployed to regulate, order and normalise the variegated sexual landscapes of a world city.

An inclusive rights-based foreign policy for health

30 years ago the disease now known as AIDS transfixed suffering and death on gay communities. The spread of AIDS transformed an entire generation, forging powerful connections between gay activists and their health professionals.1 AIDS activists reached beyond the picket lines to set up entirely new drug approval processes at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At the same time, AIDS physicians adopted the cause of advocacy in ways hitherto unthinkable. Although the synergy between human rights and health continues to this day, these partial gains reveal an unfinished project. We define inclusive rights as civil, social, and health rights independent of sexual orientation or gender.2 Yet violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals remain the norm in many regions.3 In 2012, 78 nations worldwide had laws discriminating against LGBT individuals.2 This harsh environment discourages LGBT individuals from seeking health services, disclosing sexual behaviours, reporting sexual violence, and, ultimately, from receiving antiretroviral therapy for those HIV-infected LGBT in need of treatment.4 In 2011, in recognition of the importance of an inclusive rights-based foreign policy, US President Barack Obama issued a memorandum that raised LGBT rights to the status of a foreign policy priority. Obama declared: “The struggle to end discrimination against LGBT persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States commitment to promoting human rights. I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived sexual orientation. That is why I declared before heads of state gathered at the United Nations, ‘no country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere.’”5 An inclusive rights-based foreign policy can improve the health and wellbeing of LGBT communities by several mechanisms. First, worldwide support for LGBT individuals’ human rights nurtures an environment that is conducive to stable, healthy same-sex partnerships. An analysis based on WHO data showed that after European nations introduced same-sex partnership laws, syphilis rates decreased by 43%.6 Second, an inclusive rights-based foreign policy decreases barriers for HIV-infected LGBT individuals to receive antiretroviral therapy. Finally, an inclusive foreign policy prioritises the safety of LGBT individuals. LGBT individuals have been murdered in many countries because of sexual orientation or gender identity. This inclusive foreign policy agenda has also elicited criticism, especially from local leaders. Religious practices that condemn homosexuality, entrenched heterosexual family norms, and widespread public disapproval in many regions7 challenge the expansion of an inclusive foreign policy in different parts of the world. Potential exists for conflict between religious groups and organisations supporting inclusive policies; however, faith leaders have also become powerful advocates for HIV prevention.7 This advocacy could be extended explicitly to include LGBT rights. Working in partnership with local religious organisations and other multisectoral partners will be crucial to the success of comprehensive initiatives in HIV control. Another common criticism against an inclusive foreign policy is the belief that paternalistic global forces misunderstand local cultures; yet the persistence and momentum of LGBT community-based organisations in the harshest environments cannot be ignored. Homosexuality is not a political ideology; rather, it is woven into the fabric of humanity. The UN Human Rights Council has unequivocally stated that LGBT rights are human rights.8 An inclusive foreign policy is gaining traction and could generate considerable health benefits. Although an inclusive foreign policy has advanced most rapidly in high-income nations where discrimination and violence are less common, 29 US states9 and 12 European countries2 still have laws that discriminate against homosexual individuals. Advancement of LGBT rights is about embracing health and wellness for all, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender.

Sexual Politics, Pride, and Media Mediation in Spain

Media are fundamental in the processes of identity construction. In the case of social movements, media also play an important role for the visibilization of the movements and their claims, and for the mobilization of the population (Shner and Aviv, 2006; Carroll and Ratner, 1999: 3). I aim to analyze media mediation and LGTB activism through the analysis of the impact in media of LGTB Pride celebrations in Barcelona and Madrid in 2010. This analysis is part of a wider project based on intensive ethnographic fieldwork about identities and pride. I have undertaken qualitative content analysis of selected media and compared the topics displayed with the topics that appear in the Pride official webpages designed by the organizing LGTB organizations in Madrid and Barcelona. The conclusions confirm the display of different communicative strategies used in popular media and emic (or native) social media that point out to an intention to depoliticize the event and return sexual identities to the private and individual sphere in some popular media.

'Equality is what nursing is about'.

Nurse Joanne Stevenson helped celebrate diversity at Belfast's Pride celebrations on Saturday.

Correlates of unprotected anal sex among men who have sex with men in Tijuana, Mexico

BackgroundAlthough men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in Mexico, data on current risk behaviors in this population are lacking. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in a sample of 260 MSM in Tijuana, Mexico.MethodsIn June 2010, men attending a gay pride celebration were invited to complete a sexual risk survey. Men who reported UAI with a male partner in the past year were compared with men who reported only protected anal sex during the same period.ResultsMean age of participants was 29.7; 54% had a high school diploma or less; and 43% were unemployed. In the past year, 55% had been tested for HIV, 21% reported using illicit drugs before or during sex, and 94% had sex only with men. Overall, 50% reported having UAI with another male in the past year. Factors independently associated with UAI in the past year were unemployment (AOR = 1.87), attending adult movie theaters (AOR = 2.21), using illicit drugs before or during sex (AOR = 2.43), and not having a recent HIV test (AOR = 1.85).ConclusionsInterventions to promote HIV testing and condom use among men who have sex with men may want to consider venue-specific approaches, as well as focus on drug-use issues in the context of unsafe sex.

Internet Use, Recreational Travel, and HIV Risk Behaviors in Men Who Have Sex With Men

Previous studies have documented higher rates of HIV risk behavior in gay and bisexual men traveling for leisure. Most of these studies collected data in high-risk tourist areas known for promoting alcohol and other substance use. The present study sampled a broader range of men by collecting data at a Gay Pride celebration, and asking participants about vacation experiences over the past 12 months. We also collected information about men's use of the Internet to find sexual partners before they traveled. Overall, two-thirds of participants reported recreational travel in the previous year. Of these men, 17% reported having sex with a new partner during their most recent vacation. Forty-three percent of the respondents were sexually active during their vacation. Sexually-active participants reported a mean of 2.01 unprotected anal sex acts during their brief vacation stay (M = 6.2 days). Close to half of the sexually-active men reported having sex with a partner of unknown HIV status. Alcohol and drug use were associated with unprotected sex. Men who used the Internet to set up dates prior to travel reported significantly more sexual partners and were significantly more likely to report having sex with a new partner. Many gay and bisexual men on vacation report behaviors that may place their health at risk, including substance use and unprotected sexual activity. Interventions designed to reduce risk behaviors in this population are needed.